As we countdown to Father’s Day (06/21) – here’s our continuing look at some of TV’s favorite fathers: From the 1950s cardigan-wearing, “Father Knows Best” types to the 21st century guys juggling dysfunctional families and questionable careers.

TV’s Top Dads (in chronological order)

Heathcliff Huxtable (1980’s)One of TV’s first African American fathers, Heathcliff Huxtable also broke paternal ground in The Cosby Show (1984-1993) for his dual-income earning family. The high-powered couple (Cliff was an OB-GYN, wife Clair a corporate attorney) resonated with American viewers, who were eager to see an image of their own family’s working status – rather than TV land’s persistence in the passe’ norm of the housewife mom. Together, the joke-cracking Cliff and straight-laced Clair raised their five kids, ranging in age from preschool to high school, in their Brooklyn brownstone.

Check back each day for another TV dad (or you can cheat and check out all our TV dads here).